否则 fǒuzé if not
if not; otherwise; or else
How to remember 否则: 否 no + 则 rule = if not.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Otherwise / or else' - links a condition to a consequence - 快点，否则会迟到 (kuài diǎn, fǒuzé huì chídào) hurry, otherwise we'll be late.
- Formal cousin of the spoken 要不然 (yàoburán) / 不然 (bùrán).
- Follows the first clause and introduces the bad outcome of not doing it; 则 is a written-style particle here.
Example sentences
- 考试前要复习，否则很难通过。 Kǎoshì qián yào fùxí, fǒuzé hěn nán tōng'guò.You must review before exams, otherwise it's hard to pass.
- 除非你有什么值得说的话要说，否则就别吭声。 Chúfēi nǐ yǒu shénme zhíde shuō dehuà yàoshuō, fǒuzé jiùbié kēngshēng.Don't speak unless you have something worth saying.